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UNDERSTANDING WHEEL-RAIL ADHESION

The terms of wheel-rail adhesion are defined. An extensive review of the problems associated with adhesion and the attempts to solve these problems is presented. The results of experiments conducted by the author on scale equipment show that creep is present as long as there is adhesion demand. As the adhesion demand increases, the percentage creep increases until creep becomes slip and eventually slide. It is shown that true adhesion varies with velocity. Suggestions are given for means of approaching true adhesion values on the railroad. The danger of wheel damage caused by high adhesion could offset the advantages.

Supplemental Notes:

Contributed by the Railroad Division of the ASME for presentation at the ASME-AIEE Railroad Conference, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 20-21, 1960.